TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Fish Creek Campground
Fish Creek Campground sits on the northwest shore of Lake McDonald on the west side of Glacier National Park, about four miles from the West Glacier entrance.
It is the second largest campground in the park, with 178 campsites spread across four loops, and sites are spaced apart well enough to give both tent and RV campers a good sense of privacy.
The campground is heavily forested with towering conifers that provide plenty of shade. Loops C and D sit closest to Lake McDonald, and several of those sites have short paths leading right down to the water, making them the most sought-after spots in camp.
Sites D162, D164, and D166 are particularly special, sitting right along the creek with the sound of the water as your backdrop.
One thing I want to point out is that several sites are on a hill, and the terrain throughout the campground includes rocks and exposed tree roots, so be careful where you walk. Make sure that to watch where you step, especially at night or if you have any mobility concerns.
The other thing to remember is that Fish Creek Campground sits at nearly 3,500 feet elevation in the area of the park that generally receives the most rainfall. Mountain weather can shift quickly, so pack layers and be ready for anything.
Reservations go fast here, especially in the summer, so book as early as you possibly can.
Fish Creek Campground Map
Campground Fees
Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees
Campground Reservations
- Reservations can be made from Late May through early September.
- Reservations can be made at Recreation.Gov
- Reservation Phone Number: 1-877-444-6777
- How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Campsites are released on a 6-month rolling basis with a few on a 4-day booking window
General Park Information
Season: End of May - Sept
Number of Sites: 178
Location in the park: West side of Glacier National Park.
Latitude/Longitude:
- Latitude:
- 48.5477778
- 48° 32' 52.0001" N
- Longitude:
- -113.9852778
- 113° 59' 7.0001" W
Elevation: 3,500 feet
Accessible Sites: 8 sites (A8, A10, A12, A34, B65, B68, D158 and D160)
Campground Amenities
Flush Toilets: Yes
Showers: Showers are located in Loop A and are available for registered campers only.
Laundry: No
Payphone: No
Is WiFi Available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is firewood available for purchase? Firewood is available for purchase at most camp stores.
- It is unlawful to gather or cut firewood
Amenities at each campsite:
Fire pit in the site? Yes, Campsites contain fire rings but do not have fire grates for grilling/ food preparation
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Food Storage Lodckers/ Bear Boxes Available? Yes, Communal bear boxes are available in each loop
Potable Water? Yes
Fee showers are available at the Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns and private campgrounds adjacent to the park.
Is camp host available on site? Yes
RV Camping at Fish Creek Campground
Hookups: No
RV Length: 18 sites can accommodate up to a 35 foot RV or truck and trailer combination.
Dump Station: Yes
Generators: 8 a.m.-10 a.m., 12 p.m.-2 p.m., 5 p.m.-7 p.m. There are no generators allowed in Loop C
Don't forget to pack these camping essentials
How to get to Campground
Approximate driving distance via Going-to-the-Sun Road:
West entrance: 4.5mi
St. Mary entrance: 51.2mi
Fish Creek is located four miles northwest of the west park entrance near West Glacier, Montana. Access is from U.S. Highway 2, approximately 32 miles northeast of Kalispell, Montana.
Campground Regulations
A maximum of two tents per site is permitted.
Sites may not be left unattended for over 24 hours.
Campground speed limits are 10 miles per hour.
The maximum number of people in a campsite: limited to eight people
The number of cars per campsite: two vehicles
Checkout time: 12 noon
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
No group camping in Fish Creek. Parties of nine or more may make reservations for the Apgar Campground Group Sites or at the St. Mary Campground.
Pets Allowed: Yes, they must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.
Maximum Stay:
Between July 1 and Labor Day, camping in Glacier National Park is limited to 14 days, either in a single period or combined separate periods.
Between Labor Day and June 30, camping in Glacier National Park is limited to 30 days, either in a single period or combined separate periods.
Best Glacier National Park Tours & Activities
Glacier National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Experience the Crown Jewl of the National Parks with this self-guided tour. Cruise past crystal-clear glacial lakes, hike across breathtaking alpine tundras, and discover the secrets hidden in this sprawling wilderness. Plus learn about the Blackfoot Confederacy, an ill-fated gold rush, and lots more along the route.
Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🛶 Check Rates and Availability
Relax and unwind as you float the Flathead River as you take in the scenery and learn about the area as you float by. There are opportunities to spot wildlifeas this relaxing and rejuvenating tour takes place on the boundary of Glacier National Park. This tour requires little effort and is great for familieswith small children.
Nature Walk in Glacier National Park
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (730+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | Check Rates and Availability
Meet for a brief orientation then head out to Glacier where you'll explore Glacier's natural wonders on a guided adventure. Start with a 1-mile round trip walk through Lake McDonald Valley, admiring its glaciated beauty and resident wildlife. Then venture to the North Fork Valley with scenic stops along the way. Take another 1-mile roundtrip walk along the wild and scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, learning about the environment and its history.
Alternative Lodging Options if Fish Creek Campground is Fully Booked
Glacier Lodging & campsites oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near Apgar Campground as a backup option.
⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Village Inn at Apgar - Click here for Rates and Availability.
This is one of my favorite lodges in Glacier and is located in Apgar Village. The lodge has several amenities and some come with a full kitchen. I love the 70's motor Inn retro vibe, but what makes me keep rebooking this lodge is sitting back in an Adirondack chair located on your back porch with epic views of Lake McDonald. It's the chef's kiss!
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Lake McDonald Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the Classic lodges in the national park service with a lodge feel. It has epic views of Lake McDonald and a great spot to go hiking, driving the Going to the Sun Road, and taking a boat tour of the lake. THey have several amenities, a gift store, lounge, and a restaurant.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Belton Chalet - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Step back in time to an era of elegance and culinary prowess at the Historic Belton Chalet. Built in 1910 as the first of the Great Northern Railroad's iconic lodges, the Belton Chalet has served as the origional gateway to Glacier National Park for over a century, offering the same and unforgettable guest experience today, as it did when it first opened its doors. Now renowned for its world-class cuisine featuring locally-sources ingredients and an array of local beer and spirits, the chalet's restaurant and tap house provide a warm, welcoming environmentwhere the way it was is truly the way it still is. +
If you were unable to get into one of these lodges, make sure to check out my Glacier National Park Lodging Guide for a complete breakdown of lodges in Glacier.
Click on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Glacier.
Glacier National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Glacier National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$45.00-$145.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons), $25.oo for vehicle plus $20.00 per person 16+.
$75.00 for a commercial van with 7-15 seats
$100 for a commercial mini-bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for a commercial motor coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Photos of Fish Creek Campground
Additional Glacier Resources
- Glacier National Park - Complete Guid to plan your trip to the Crown of the Continent!
- Things To Do in Glacier National Park - including boat tours, hiking, Rad Jammer Rides, and more!
- Going to the Sun Road - Complete Guide to one of America's most iconic scenic drives!
- Glacier Lodging Guide - Find out about all the lodging options within the park.
- Glacier Camping Guide - Find out about all the campgrounds that can be found within the park.
- Free National Park Days - Find out the five days during the year the National Park Service waives entry fees.
- Most Visited National Parks - Check out the most visited national park sites in the United States.
Check out all of the Montana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply